We don't have to hate eachother, we really don't.

[Raven]

I'm noticing something here on DU that I've noticed in the small town I work in...if you don't agree with someone, you HAVE to hate them. When did that happen? Why can't we have a civil discourse? I'm not referring to the nutcases who put forth outrageous arguments...I'm talking about well-meaning folks who don't happen to hold the same ideas we do. Also, the other tendency is that if you don't agree with someone, they MUST be lying. Why surround yourself with demons? Why not credit most people with intelligence and decent motives and give them the benefit of the doubt? How are we ever going to come together if we treat eachother like this? One answer that comes to mind is that if we treat others as demons or liars, we don't have to argue the merits. Lazy way out.

[yardwork]

1. Hi Raven! I loved your son's essay about you.

You are an inspiration.

Oh, and k&r to this excellent post.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. What essay?

Was it posted here on DU?

Been really busy lately and I've missed more post than I've read here.

[pnwmom]

12. This essay. Enjoy!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2800720&mesg_id=2800720

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. Thanks!

That was a great read. I didn't know Raven was Will Pitt's mother.

Learn something new everyday around here.

[pnwmom]

2. I've been wondering about that, too, Raven.

I don't know -- maybe there are a lot of people at the end of their rope. They're feeling overwhelmed and not supported -- so when they come upon even DUers disagreeing with them, they lash out.

Most people don't do this routinely, fortunately. Those few are what the ignore button is for.

By the way, that was a WONDERFUL story your loving son told about you today. What a testament to both of you.

[Raven]

7. It was a shock to see that story on DU today! Will must be dredging

up memories in anticipation of my upcoming birthday or something! You know, when that was happening, I thought he was upstairs asleep. I had no idea he had perched himself on the top of the staircase and listened in. I also remember how sad the little guy was to see all the charred law books...as a 10 year old, I think he thought I was doomed! And, forgive me for recalling all of this now...there were a ton of people in my class in law shhool who gave me their notes so I could prepare for exams...tons of people..think about that! Today, I wonder if classmates would think "oh good, let her suffer,less competition".

[pnwmom]

10. I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit, Raven.

The reason you had a ton of people offering you notes was because of the kind of person you obviously are.

I hope you are writing your memoirs. They would be something. Or maybe you and Will could write a book together! (What a writer he is. But I bet he got that from you.)

Cheers!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. Of course you're right.

Whatever became of being able to disagree agreeably? Here, where we share more likenesses than not, I'd think we could reason and at the least attempt to see the other persons side. However, more often than not that is not the case. We attack and bludgeon for the least of differences.

[leftynyc]

28. That's an excellent question

I have a friend who is a conservative republican. We agree on nothing politically and we still manage to treat eachother with more respect than the people here are extending to those that disagree with them. I'd tell her about it if I wasn't so embarassed by it.

[predfan]

4. we don't have the luxury of splintering this years election.

I'm in retail in a small town for 30 years, I have very good friends who are Republican, and I learned a long time ago you can't turn a ocean liner on a dime. This year priority one is winning back the White House. I don't really care which Democrat does it, I'll donate to and work for either. I want energy independence, I don't like obligating my grandchildren's future because today's rich don't want to pay their bills, I want affordable healthcare............but I won't get anything unless, first, a Democrat wins. Job one.

[Raven]

8. Bravo and welcome! This is all going to work out...I know it will, it has to!

[predfan]

19. One thing about getting older, I've gotten a lot more pragmatic.

I heard a radio host yesterday say that he didn't want McCain choosing Supreme Ct. Justices, but neither did he want Hillary or Obama soing that, either. Say What? It is what it is, oneones going to select these justices in the next few years, and of course we want a Democrat. Remember the Nader idea that there was no difference between Bush and Gore? How'd that work out?

Elect a Democrat, Job One.

[TooBigaTent]

18. But what makes you think either of the corporatists still left will push for any

of these things against their monied handlers? All electing a right-wing Dem will do is waste the opportunity to move the country forward past the puke-disaster of the previous 25 years. Plus, our party will get the blame for the cancerous chickens coming home to roost as Wall Street and Main Street manipulate the economy to really weigh down the "new sherrif in town."

[leftynyc]

29. Oh for heavens sake

Neither Obama or Clinton are in any way, shape or form a right winger. You want to see right wingers, take a trip to redstate or freerepublic. You don't like some of their positions, fine but stop the incessant lying about them being right wingers or the enemy. You and your bretheran sound deranged.

[emilyg]

6. Where's the essay?

K

[pnwmom]

11. Here you go. Enjoy!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2800720&mesg_id=2800720

[emilyg]

17. Thank you.

[TahitiNut]

9. "nutcases"?? Excuuuuse me?

Hmpf! x(

[Raven]

13. Sorry! Didn't mean you, of course! n/t

[ixion]

14. The Bush Years have certainly brought this out in our society... it was always there, but

lately it has become much more pronounced. IMO, it's the whole "with us or against us" mentality and the new barbarianism made popular by Preznit Dumb F**k and his band of mafia hoods.

[Carni]

15. I have never seen this place so nasty...

It got pretty bad in the 04 primary season but IMO NOTHING like this current cycle.

The other day I went to freerepublic to compare the threads there about the Clinton's, to the threads here about the Clintons--there was no difference.

I wish if people would stop resorting to this *Billary* -- Bill killed people bla bla bla/ Jerry Falwell crap...it just gets my back up to read that stupidity!

[Lugnut]

23. I haven't either, Carni.

It has never been this awful. I'm grateful for the ignore feature.

[Yael]

I don't hate anyone here

A few people have been extraordinarily rude, IMO -- but that is what the ignore list is for.

At the end of the day, we are all family under the Big D Tent.

It would behoove people to remember that about each other.

[Yael]

20. I don't hate anyone here

A few people have been extraordinarily rude, IMO -- but that is what the ignore list is for.

At the end of the day, we are all family under the Big D Tent.

It would behoove people to remember that about each other.

[littlecryinggirl]

21. Glad to see this topic

I am pretty new here so I won't take much time except to say so far I agree. Frankly, I have been a little paranoid to post anything based on some responses I have seen. Especially being that my views on issues, I don't think, would seem extreme to anyone except the furthest to the right. Still trying to decided if this is the place for me. Glad to see someone else sees what I am seeing. Thanks for the time.

[yardwork]

24. Welcome to DU! Jump in and ignore anyone who is rude.

[Buns_of_Fire]

22. *sniff* But... but... we nutcases need love, TOO... *whine* *snivel* *snort, snort*

:cry:

(P.S. You raised a fine son. And your son has a fine mother. Just sayin'.)

[NeedleCast]

25. You're so right

it's the part of DU that I like the least. Sometimes sounds no different from the right when we get down to the hate. Only difference is what the target of the hate is.

[TahitiNut]

26. EXCEPT for ....

... smokers, old people, fat people, trannies, "purists," white males, evangelical Christians, leftists, atheists, SUV drivers, boomers, meat-eaters, military people, lawyers, veterans, alcoholics, cell phone addicts, ...


... and the beat goes on!

Forum Name General Discussion
Topic subject Shut up, crybaby
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5325562#5333519
5333519, Shut up, crybaby
Posted by ******** on Fri Nov-11-05 01:33 PM

Go cough up blood and die.

It makes me soooo proud to be a DUer. Ubetcha. :puke:

[UncleSepp]

27. I've been thinking the same thing.

Why is it that if two people have different opinions, one of them has to be "an idiot"? If one good person disagrees with another person, that person - not their ideas - is evil, wicked, or stupid at best.

I see a big problem with this. If ideas are wrong, but the people who hold them are okay, then the ideas can change. If the people who hold the wrong ideas are wicked, they can be redeemed and their ideas changed. If the people who hold the ideas that are wrong are stupid, well, there's not much to be done about stupid. The focus changes from fighting ideas to fighting the people who hold the ideas. For a total victory of ideas, it becomes necessary not to convert the opposition, but to silence or eliminate them.

I don't care what the idea is, I refuse to go that far.